Every time world leaders travel in their exquisite official cars, the ‘world’ stands still for them to pass and turn heads. It is always a regular sight to see loud crowds cheering and waving at their entourage. Just as some people are waving at the convoy, some others are grumbling that their movements have been restrained for the leaders to pass by. Many enjoy it and even those who don’t cannot help themselves but get a glance of the car that carries this leader on board.
They are specially built, seldom and are tailor made to keep the most important person from their respective countries safe. The importance, therefore, of the car, which carries this huge responsibility on its shoulders, needs to be highlighted. Let us take a look at a few of these cars which can be described as wonders on wheels. In total the nationality of the cars used by leaders around the world are 109 German vehicles, 38 Japanese, 27 other nationalities and 23 American cars.
Nigeria
Starting with Nigeria, in terms of presidential cars, there is change indeed. While former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was riding a Mercedes-Benz S 350, his successor, Muhammadu Buhari prefers much more expensive and luxurious model – Mercedes-Maybach S600.
This car represents the top notch in the latest sixth generation of luxury Mercedes-Benz special class cars, labelled by company as the W222, while GEJ’s car belongs to the previous fifth generation –the W221. Mercedes-Benz representatives describe Mercedes-Maybach S600 as “an extra highlight in the luxury segment.”
Available luxury appointments over and above what was offered in the W221 include a choice of massage type for each seat occupant, while the W221 offered various intensities of a single massage type.
Mercedes-Maybach S600 in base-line configuration costs around $258,000 or N51,6 million, while the price for the new Mercedes-Benz S 350 is only $135,000 or N27 million.
Upgraded versions of these cars for world leaders cost tens of thousands dollars more than their base-line configuration, but include the capability to withstand small arms fire and explosive devices, and a self-sealing fuel tank.
America
The US President Barack Obama’s official car, Nicknamed ‘The Beast’ , the car is designed with one sole purpose of protecting the president from terror attacks while also keeping him in touch with his administration.
The car is 18 feet in length, 5 feet 10 inches tall and all the armour that goes into it makes it a weighty affair and hence it weighs 8 tonnes. The car is impenetrable by bullets or bombs and is home to a lot more than anyone could imagine.
The boot is home to oxygen tanks and firefighting equipment while the tank is sealed and designed in a manner that it cannot explode. There is a lot of equipment inside too like a night-vision camera, pump-action shotgun, teargas cannons. To keep the first family safe, the car also carries a cache of their blood types.
The Beast also boasts of run -flat tyres which are shred and puncture resistant. The doors of the car act like a thick concrete wall as the armour-plating is 8 inches thick and weigh as much as a Boeing 757.
The driver is not left out as well. The driver’s window can withstand armour piercing bullets and .44 Magnum. In this case too, the driver has been trained to make a getaway if the situation so demands. Powered by a 6.5-litre diesel engine the car tops out at 100km/h.
Russia
Governments, heads of state and royalty all over the world have always appreciated and admire cars that Mercedes-Benz has created for them and the S600 Pullman is a perfect example. Russian President Vladimir Putin chose this luxury limousine that not only provides all the communications and entertainment equipment they need but also has enough and more space for discreet meetings on the go.
The Pullman Limousine is based on the flagship Mercedes Benz S 600 L Guard model and under the hood is a 5513cc, twelve-cylinder biturbo engine which churns out 517bhp and a peak torque of 830 Nm. Both the chassis and the body are new developments too add to the stability, given the fact that it has an extra-long wheelbase.
Talking about security, the S 600 Guard Pullman is equivalent to resistance level B6/B7, as tested and certified by state-approved organisations. Its armour resists military-standard small-arms projectiles and provides protection against fragments from hand grenades and other explosive devices. Additional safety features include run-flat tyres, a self-sealing fuel tank and a fire-extinguishing system.
Hopefully the cars of these leaders will keep the dream of being a president one day alive.
Zimbabwe
Robert Mugabe has an amazing taste as he has the Rolls Royce as his official car. Born 21 February 1924) is the current President of Zimbabwe, serving since 22 December 1987. As one of the leaders of the rebel groups against white minority rule, he was elected as Prime minister, head of government, in 1980, and served in that office until 1987, when he became the country’s first executive Head of state. He has led the Zimbabwe African National union- patriotic front (ZANU–PF) since 1975.
Turkmenistan
The exotic Bugatti Veyron is the official vehicle for Turkmenistan – finished in the colours of Turkmenistan – ordered by the country’s president, Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov. He famously showed up to give his blessing to the nation’s first motor race, only to plonk his Veyron on the starting grid and drive to victory. Well, who is going to over take the president, you?
Uruguay
He has been described as “the world’s ‘humblest’ president” due to his austere lifestyle and his donation of around 90 percent of his $12,000 monthly salary to charities that benefit poor people and small entrepreneurs. He used the Volkswagen Beetle. In 2010, the country disposed of its fleet of state vehicles, leaving the president to drive his own car. Still, Mr Mujica isn’t missing much. The previous presidential car was an armoured 2005 (Vauxhall) Vectra. What a humble country!
Tonga
The king of Tonga uses a 1949 Humber Pullman Landaulet, which is suitably diplomatic. His predecessor, King George Tupou V? He used a classic London Taxi. Top man. Another humble leader.